Cribbing.

[anicolle]

Im interested in a horse thats a cribber. He is 3, will be turning 4 soon. Thoroughbred, raced etc etc. Was told he cribs if he’s in a coral, but not in the stall he’s currently in.

Just curious for ideas and opinions. Ive never owned a cribber but I’ve worked with a few imports that were cribbers and when they got settled into a good routine, better feed, some turn out time and riding etc the cribbing minimized.

I like the horse, very similar to my current horse. Cute mover, heavier than most racing TBs. He’s on the short side and he’s also a tiny bit rump high still. Has longer canon bones in the back also.

[Simkie]

I just don’t think it’s a bit deal, as long as they’re not so dedicated that they don’t eat. I don’t collar mine, and she cribs after she eats her grain…that’s really about it. It’s not enough to affect her teeth (I ask every time she’s floated.) I consider it her “smoke break.” When I see her cribbing more, it’s usually after some sort of stressful thing, so I treat her for ulcers…and she goes back to her usual.

I do have a Barclay collar for her for when she can’t crib or those rare times it just gets on my last nerve. I like it because it doesn’t have to be tight to work, like the Dare or miracle collars. Kind of spendy, but a neat piece of equipment. If you’d like to buy one, find their US distributor–don’t order from the Aus website.

If you’re buying for resale…perhaps reconsider. As much as it sucks, a lot of people won’t even consider a cribber. If you’re looking for resale, you’re limiting your buyer pool right off the bat.

[anicolle]

@Simkie

I just don’t think it’s a bit deal, as long as they’re not so dedicated that they don’t eat. I don’t collar mine, and she cribs after she eats her grain…that’s really about it. It’s not enough to affect her teeth (I ask every time she’s floated.) I consider it her “smoke break.” When I see her cribbing more, it’s usually after some sort of stressful thing, so I treat her for ulcers…and she goes back to her usual.

I do have a Barclay collar for her for when she can’t crib or those rare times it just gets on my last nerve. I like it because it doesn’t have to be tight to work, like the Dare or miracle collars. Kind of spendy, but a neat piece of equipment. If you’d like to buy one, find their US distributor–don’t order from the Aus website.

If you’re buying for resale…perhaps reconsider. As much as it sucks, a lot of people won’t even consider a cribber. If you’re looking for resale, you’re limiting your buyer pool right off the bat.

I don’t think I’m looking for a resale at the moment. I just want another personal horse of myself and later in life, when I convince the SO that I absolutely need property for 4+ horses then id get a better prospect.

Im sure this guy will need to be treated for ulcers and I’m going to let him just have time to be a horse. Did wonders for my other one when he got to live outside and be with other horses. Same with the imports that cribbed.

Also all the fencing is hot wired, owner said he doesn’t currently crib in the stall.

We shall see. Also I’m buying him out of state but my mom is going down to check him and a few others out but I’m pretty set on this guy. He will be shipping form CA to MT lol.

[Texarkana]

I don’t collar my cribber. I don’t try to stop her in any way; most I do is try to give her a softer place to crib to preserve her incisors.

My horse is also a very easy keeper who would rather eat than crib; the only time she really cribs is right after a meal or in anticipation of food she thinks she should be receiving. She does not tend to have ulcer problems, confirmed via scoping. She is slightly prone to minor gas colics and has a colic episode about once a year that usually resolves quickly without veterinary intervention.

Her cribbing did seem minimized when I fed her a completely low sugar/no sugar diet. There was a researcher at Cornell who theorized a link between cribbing and sweet tastes. After reading about the subject, I became obsessive with low sugar hay and feed for this horse; for treats, the most she received was a hay cube or celery. It worked to greatly reduce my horse’s cribbing, but the effects only lasted while she was on a low sugar diet. The minute a well-meaning boarder gave her a carrot or apple slice, the cribbing rebounded tenfold. I eventually decided it wasn’t worth my energy to be so controlling of her diet, since it’s not like it cured her.

My cribber does not negatively impact my own life in any way. BUT… it’s a pain in the butt to board her, since it’s not uncommon for barns to refuse cribbers. And as Simkie said, you also reduce your resale market if that’s ever a consideration.

[anicolle]

@Texarkana

I don’t collar my cribber. I don’t try to stop her in any way; most I do is try to give her a softer place to crib to preserve her incisors.

My horse is also a very easy keeper who would rather eat than crib; the only time she really cribs is right after a meal or in anticipation of food she thinks she should be receiving. She does not tend to have ulcer problems, confirmed via scoping. She is slightly prone to minor gas colics and has a colic episode about once a year that usually resolves quickly without veterinary intervention.

Her cribbing did seem minimized when I fed her a completely low sugar/no sugar diet. There was a researcher at Cornell who theorized a link between cribbing and sweet tastes. After reading about the subject, I became obsessive with low sugar hay and feed for this horse; for treats, the most she received was a hay cube or celery. It worked to greatly reduce my horse’s cribbing, but the effects only lasted while she was on a low sugar diet. The minute a well-meaning boarder gave her a carrot or apple slice, the cribbing rebounded tenfold. I eventually decided it wasn’t worth my energy to be so controlling of her diet, since it’s not like it cured her.

My cribber does not negatively impact my own life in any way. BUT… it’s a pain in the butt to board her, since it’s not uncommon for barns to refuse cribbers. And as Simkie said, you also reduce your resale market if that’s ever a consideration.

Good to hear positive stuff. I would rather deal with a mild cribber than a weaver… Not sure why but weaving drives me nutso. My oldest, now retired TB is a horrible horrible pawer.

Also when I first got my other guy from the track I witnessed him crib maybe 3x times and since then I haven’t seen him do it…

[DunByMistake]

I would personally buy one who wasn’t crazy obsessive - didn’t pass over food to crib for example. I think it’s a way to get a really good deal on good horses that most people won’t even take a second look at.

BUT I do own my own property so destruction to a boarding facility isn’t a concern for me. I also would only buy a cribber with the intention of keeping it as my personal horse for a long long time because they can be a pain to sell.

I know one quite well who resorted to wood chewing when he couldn’t crib - that was far more annoying to me because he can turn a fence rail into a toothpick in a couple days. However, his problem (and I think true for a lot of cribbers) is ulcer related. I think ulcer meds, a good turnout situation and the right feed plan can make a huge difference for most cribbers.

[anicolle]

@DunByMistake

I would personally buy one who wasn’t crazy obsessive - didn’t pass over food to crib for example. I think it’s a way to get a really good deal on good horses that most people won’t even take a second look at.

BUT I do own my own property so destruction to a boarding facility isn’t a concern for me. I also would only buy a cribber with the intention of keeping it as my personal horse for a long long time because they can be a pain to sell.

I know one quite well who resorted to wood chewing when he couldn’t crib - that was far more annoying to me because he can turn a fence rail into a toothpick in a couple days. However, his problem (and I think true for a lot of cribbers) is ulcer related. I think ulcer meds, a good turnout situation and the right feed plan can make a huge difference for most cribbers.

Already planning on getting him started on some ulcer guard right away.

He will probably stay a personal horse for forever. He’s smaller, 15.3, almost 4 years old, and still bump high/downhill. Longish cannon bones… He does move super duper nice and has pretty front action! Either way I’m super excited about this! 2 horses = more saddle time. Per current owner he doesn’t crib in his stall and only if he’s in a pipe pen (weird but whatever)… thankfully all the fencing is hot wired and minimal fence post.

Ill probably end up posting some photos later when he comes home

[rememberthenight]

I don’t mind a mild cribber, but some drive me crazy. The perfect horse in every way that needs to wear a cribbing collar is not a deal breaker. I had one. Miss him everyday. He was a cribber that was obnoxious if he didn’t have his collar on. Particularly after grain. We treated for ulcers, had him on ulcer prevention constantly. He was a Hardish keeper and wouldn’t eat if you looked at him wrong or forgot to put his collar on tight enough and let him crib and then he would get high and go into la la land…

But he was a good boy, took care of my husband and besides the little bit of babysitting with the collar care it was ok particularly since he lived at home. I found the Dare collar worked best for him. I could keep it the loosest and he (we) liked it the best.

[Foxglove]

I have one that is crazy obsessive about cribbing. When he was at shows and I’d hold him for my daughter between classes, he’d try to crib on me or his own leg. He’s worn a leather collar (not exactly a cribbing collar, but something home-made by his original owner that we’ve had copied and repaired many, many times). This stops the cribbing 100%. If left without his collar, he will crib instead of eat. I have 20 acres of lush green pasture. He will stand at a fence post all day cribbing. Nothing stops or distracts him except riding or that collar. FYI he’s was (in his prime) an Intermediate Event Horse who showed around the Eastern US. He is hands down the best horse I’ve ever owned. I’d buy another cribber in a second --it’s manageable. Cribbing has cost him most of his front teeth. He’s 25 now. The only problem I have is with my 11 year old stall cleaner who thinks his cribbing collar “chokes” him and occasionally “forgets” to put it on after she brushes him or gives him a bath.

[Wayside]

I’ve owned two cribbers. One was an older TB, his cribbing was well controlled with a collar, but he didn’t need it when he eventually retired to a place with 24/7 turnout and electric fences.

Current mare is moderately obsessive. Spends most of her time outside grazing, not cribbing, but she and my other mare like to come in the run-in to get out of the bugs at dusk, and then she’ll crib on any little bit of wood she can get her teeth on. And during her inside time, she’d rather crib than eat. She’s a Saddlebred, and I don’t collar her because the angle at which her head meets her neck is closed enough that if I get a miracle collar on her, it causes her lower jaw to start to accumulate fluid. Her resting head position just isn’t all that different than the cribbing position. I could try something different, but since she’s been out eating a lot, I haven’t felt too compelled to try a different collar.

TB was a complete non-issue. ASB is annoying, but manageable since I keep her at home.

[candyappy]

@anicolle

Per current owner he doesn’t crib in his stall and only if he’s in a pipe pen (weird but whatever)

My first horse was a cribber who didn’t crib in his stall either because we got creative and made it impossible for him to have a place to crib.

A pipe corral would be a cribbers paradise. I think we had hot wire somewhere in my geldings pipe paddock and that solved that issue.

He was a great horse and I agree with all the others that as long as food is his priority over cribbing you will not need to worry.

[Outyougo]

Total deal breaker for me. No smokers either.

[SaratogaTB]

I’m on my second cribber and wouldn’t hesitate to own another one. Both have worn DARE collars which I really recommend. Not as tight as others and they work. Lots of turnout seems to minimize it, and I feed from a pan on the floor so he can’t grab his bucket to crib.

[peedin]

I bought a 16 year old schoolie that cribs. Pulled the collar since that did not deter her. She is turned out during the day and at night, coming in only for grain. She cribs outside but still likes her food a lot. Everything about her is perfect for me so I’ve learned to live with it. She cribs, I smoke. We each have our vices.

[anicolle]

@candyappy

My first horse was a cribber who didn’t crib in his stall either because we got creative and made it impossible for him to have a place to crib.

A pipe corral would be a cribbers paradise. I think we had hot wire somewhere in my geldings pipe paddock and that solved that issue.

He was a great horse and I agree with all the others that as long as food is his priority over cribbing you will not need to worry.

Thankfully all the fencing is hotwire with very minimal wood for horses to chew on.

He’s coming straight off the track so I think he will end up living in a stall with a run for the first few weeks. More or less on how he does. Current owner said he doesn’t crib in the stall… ill end up finding out how true or not that is.

He is just a baby imo, hes 3 turning 4. My 8 turning 9 TB is also still a baby and he did a ton of maturing this year.

Either way I’m excited!!

[candyappy]

Pretty boy!

Hopefully with a new lifestyle the weaving will go away.

[anicolle]

@DunByMistake

I would personally buy one who wasn’t crazy obsessive - didn’t pass over food to crib for example. I think it’s a way to get a really good deal on good horses that most people won’t even take a second look at.

BUT I do own my own property so destruction to a boarding facility isn’t a concern for me. I also would only buy a cribber with the intention of keeping it as my personal horse for a long long time because they can be a pain to sell.

I know one quite well who resorted to wood chewing when he couldn’t crib - that was far more annoying to me because he can turn a fence rail into a toothpick in a couple days. However, his problem (and I think true for a lot of cribbers) is ulcer related. I think ulcer meds, a good turnout situation and the right feed plan can make a huge difference for most cribbers.

He also weaves I bamboozled myself! He’s already mine now PPE was good etc. He’s in CA right now. Trainer was concerned he would’t load since he’s “only been in a trainer twice” didn’t sound right.

My mom said he jumped right in and only weaved once when he was super anxious. He is turning 4 in April.

On that note of being destructive, my barn owner/manager is totally okay with it and can’t wait til her gets here. I posted a different off topic about moving current horse or staying where I am, (I’m staying at current barn)

DH will be transferring schools for fall semester next year and we will more than likely buy our own place. VA home loan, homes and land are cheap where we are going since its mostly a mining and college town.

I want 3-5 acres, (will probably be most hot wired ;)) so I can have paddocks and rotate etc. Hubby wants more land but I don’t want anything huge to start out with. This really won’t be for another 8-12 months and when the time comes I’m sure ill be posting about it!

[tazycat]

@anicolle

He also weaves I bamboozled myself! He’s already mine now PPE was good etc. He’s in CA right now. Trainer was concerned he would’t load since he’s “only been in a trainer twice” didn’t sound right.

My mom said he jumped right in and only weaved once when he was super anxious. He is turning 4 in April.

On that note of being destructive, my barn owner/manager is totally okay with it and can’t wait til her gets here. I posted a different off topic about moving current horse or staying where I am, (I’m staying at current barn)

DH will be transferring schools for fall semester next year and we will more than likely buy our own place. VA home loan, homes and land are cheap where we are going since its mostly a mining and college town.

I want 3-5 acres, (will probably be most hot wired ;)) so I can have paddocks and rotate etc. Hubby wants more land but I don’t want anything huge to start out with. This really won’t be for another 8-12 months and when the time comes I’m sure ill be posting about it!

If you’re going to get land get at least 10 acres 3 will be way too small. Very nice looking boy.

[DunByMistake]

@tazycat

If you’re going to get land get at least 10 acres 3 will be way too small. Very nice looking boy.

I was gonna say we got 5 and I’m amazed how much work/money it is. We live in Canada and need a tractor to plow snow if nothing else. But you also need one for poop and to manage pasture. 5 acres is more than I expected.

[gumtree]

Some of the nicest most talented horses I have been around are/were cribbers. I could care less. But it does effect the resale value of an average horse/cribber. Mainly because of the myths and people’s unwarranted attitudes due to the “myths”. One of Boyd Martin’s best horse is a cribber and the owners paid a lot of money for him.

Cribbing and ulcers, other health issues is by and large unfounded. Only suggested in all the studies I have read and the same said by some of the people who did an actual study.

I have not found a stalled cribber to be that much more destructive than most other stalled horses. It is reasonably easy and inexpensive to “reinforce” the cribbing areas of a stall. A fence is easily protected by using a hot wire on the top board. I have yet to see a horse try and crib on the lower boards. Running a hot line is not expensive nor difficult. Add to the general longevity from all horse wear and tear.

The first picture below is the ONLY cribbing strap that I have found effective. It doesn’t, won’t stop the behaviour but does cut it down substantially and they don’t put as much effort into it. The mare that is wearing this one is a cribbing fool and it cut down her habit by 75%. And NONE of her foals turned into cribbers. One of her daughters who is now 9 lives in the same paddock. She has never cribbed. The there are other versions of this basic cribbing strap that did not work very well. This one is made by our local Amish harness and tack repair. IMO they stumbled on just the right width and leather thickness.

The other cribbing straps pictured aren’t work the price of gas to go and buy them IME. I have some others also. If anybody lives in the area I will trade the whole lot for a homemade pie, pizza or a Big Mac.

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